Orlando City at LAFC: Three Keys to Victory

Orlando City heads to the City of Angels to take on Western Conference leaders LAFC late Saturday night. Both teams are returning from the international break and will want to get back on the front foot. What must Orlando City do to earn all three points against another tough opponent Saturday night?

C’mon Son (and Bouanga)

If you are too young to get the reference, Google “Ed Lover catchphrase” and it will make sense. I am referring to LAFC’s Son Heung-Min and his attacking partner Denis Bouanga. Despite the fact that of the two only Bouanga has a goal so far this season, this is still the pair the defense needs to deal with effectively.

Despite Robin Jansson making an appearance in training, he won’t be in the lineup for this match. That is a shame as this team desperately needs him. Without him, some combination of David Brekalo, Iago, and Nolan Miller will need to stop LAFC’s attack. Griffin Dorsey missing some recent training time doesn’t help, but if Adrian Marin wants to have his best match, this is a good time.

Be the First

If you don’t pay attention to the Western Conference, you may not have known that LAFC has not given up a goal this season. Not one goal. It’s impossible to win a match if you don’t score, and that is exactly what someone on Orlando City will need to do against a stubborn defense.

LAFC sports a good defense with the likes of Nkosi Tafari, Eddie Segura, Ryan Porteous, and Sergi Palencia, and that doesn’t even count Aaron Long, who has been out with a leg injury. Assuming the Lions are able to get past LAFC’s defense, they will then have to put the ball past one of the best goalkeepers in MLS — Hugo Lloris. There’s a reason that LAFC hasn’t given up any goals, but that’s exactly the type of weird stat that begs for a Martin Ojeda brace.

Time Travel

Given the win probability of this match I would not blame you if you didn’t want to stay up to watch the match. I’m not entirely sure I want to stay up. The players don’t get that choice. They will have to deal with travel, a different time zone — starting the match when it would usually be ending, and sleeping in a hotel. Yes, they are professionals, but that doesn’t change the conditions.

How well the players are able to deal with the time change will impact how this match plays out. If the Lions can get on the board early, that will make things a bit easier. I say “a bit” because we know all too well how difficult it is to play emergency defending against a good attacking team with a lead. Just look at some recent results. Time isn’t Orlando City’s friend, whether we’re talking about the kickoff time or how long the match goes on.

That is what I will be looking for Saturday night. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!